The Barrington light railway, which runs from Foxton sidings to Barrington quarry, is currently being restored so it can be used to transport material needed to fill in the quarry pit.

But on Thursday a wagon carrying materials used to upgrade the line became derailed at the Glebe Road crossing in Barrington.

Norman Cobley, of Glebe Road, said: “A trailer carrying rails was being pulled over the Glebe Road crossing when the back end of it rode up off the rails onto the road, blocking access to the road, which is a cul de sac.

“As the guys from the railway worked to jack up the trailer to get it back on the track, a line of cars in both directions formed as people waited to get past.

“By the time things got moving again there was quite a crowd of onlookers.

“Some people were expressing concern that if this happened regularly it could cause problems especially if the emergency services were required.”

The road was blocked for 30 minutes.

A spokesman for CEMEX said the incident happened when a small shunter being used on the rail upgrade project lost a wheel.

He said: “Before we can bring in material to effect the restoration of the quarry, the railway needs to be upgraded. The first phase of preparing for the upgrade work has commenced and the use of the small shunter is part of the project.”